Electronic timing device



Dec. 18, 1951 s. WALD ETAL 2,579,163

ELECTRONIC TIMING DEVICE Filed Dec. 26, 1947 aka/l1: iiu 4/ 26 W m T /!0 J/Jl/Illii iI/IVE' 1 7 INVENTORS: SIDNEY mLD Patcgmted Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Russo, Philadelphia, Pa., sssignors tomb Corporation of America, a corporation of Dela- Application December 28, 1847, Serial No. 724,278

12 Claims.

This invention relates to electronic timing devices which are adapted to maintain a desired condition of a load device during a time interval which may be pre-setto a predetermined value.

'In various types of operations, it is desirable that such a timing device be operable to provide a time interval which is highly accurate and independent of variation in the voltage of the line from which it is energized. The present invention achieves this result by means including a capacitor which 1) normally is charged to a high negative potential, (2) is discharged through a resistor of known value to zero potential, and (3) is charged to a positive potential of the same value as such negative potential. The capacitor is connected in the control grid circuit of a gaseous conduction device so that this device starts to conduct when the potential of:the capacitor becomes equal to its critical grid potentialwhich is approximately zero.

Thus there is established a time interval which (1) starts when the capacitor starts to discharge through the resistor, (2) ends when the potential of the capacitor changes to the critical control grid voltage of the gaseous conduction device, and (3) is independent of line voltage because the discharge curve of the capacitor always crosses zero voltage at a steep angle and the time required for the capacitor voltage to reach its zero value is independent of v the total available voltage.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved timing device and method of operation whereby there is provided a time interval which is unaffected by variation in the voltage of the supply line from which the device is energized. Additional objects of the invention are the provision of a timing device which is capable of having its time interval adjusted over a predetermined range by successive and equal steps, and the provision of a timing device which may be operated to cover a plurality of diil'erent ranges of time intervals.

The invention will be better understood from theiollowing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope is indicated by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of a preferred-embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram relating to the operation ofthe timing device illustrated by Fig. l.

The timing device of Fig. 1 includes a power input transformer Ill having a primary winding 2 II and a secondary winding l2 which is provided with terminals l2, l2 and II.

A duodiode l2, which may be of the 615.15 type, has one anode I! connected to the secondary lead l2- and one cathode I. connected to the secondary lead II. A second cathode II, which cooperates with the anode i1. is connected to a lead 20. A second anode 2|, which cooperates with the cathode I2 is connected to a lead 22. Electrolytic capacitors 22 and 24, each oi 10 microfarads capacity, are connected respectively between the leads 22 and 22 and between the lead 22 and the lead I which is grounded so as to be maintained at zero potential. Under these conditions, the'leads 22 and 22 have potentials which are of equal value and areof opposite polarity. This follows from the fact that capacitor 22 will be charged to the full secondary voltage while capacitor will be charged to onehalf the secondary voltage.

The grounded lead It is connected to the cathode 25 of a gaseous conduction device or thyratron 22 and to the zero potential terminals of a plurality of capacitors 2], 22 and 22 which may have capacities of 0.04 microfarad, 0.4 microfarad and 4 microfarads. respectively.

A multiplier switch 22 is arranged selectively to connect one or another of the capacitors 21, 2s and 22 (l) to the movablecontact 2| of a charge and discharge switch 22 and (2) through a current limiting resistor 22 to the grid 24 of the device 28.

The charge and discharge switch 22 has a fixed contact 28 which is connected to the" negative lead 22 and a fixed contact 22 .which is connected through a selected part of a resistor 21- and a movable contact arm 22 to the positive lead 20.

The positive lead 22' also is connected through the operating coil 22 of a relay II and a start cycle switch ll to the anode 42 of the device 26. As hereinafter explained, the switch it is operated, thus starting the operating cycle of the timing device.

Load devices, represented by utility outlets or receptacles 42- and', are arranged to be connected across the primary winding H alternatively through a movable switch contact 45 and a iixed contact or a fixed contact 41.

The normal or standby condition of the timing device is indicated by the following items numbered (1) to (5):

( 1) Switch H is maintained closed,

(2) Device 22 is conducting,

(3) Relay "is energized,

(4) Switch blade 2| engages contact 25, and t (5) The plate oi capacitor ll which is connected to the grid ll 0! the devim II is charged to a negative potential relative to ground.

The operating cycle 01 the timing device is indicated by the following items (6) to (14):

(6) Switch it is operated, opening the circuit during its transit time.

(7) Device it is made non-conductive,

(8) Relay u is d.

(9) Switch blade ll engages contact 3|, starting the time interval.

(10) Capacitor 2| discharges through selected part oi resistor 31 and movable contact 3| to critical grid voltage oi device 2|,

(11) Device ll starts to conduct,

(12) Relay II is energised,

(18) Switch blade it engages contact N ending time interval. and

(i4) Capacitor N is charged to a negative potential.

It will be noted that the switch blades ii and ll are ganged together, as indicated by a broken line ll, so as to be operated to their lower contact'position by the movable element of the relay 40 when this relay is energized. Prom this it 101- lows that power is s pp e to receptacle 44 and power is removed from receptacle is during the time interval between starting oi the discharge of the capacitor II and attainment of the critical grid voltage by which discharging r t tor N is interrupted.

As indicated by Fig. 2, this time interval is unaiicctcd by variation in the voltage applied to the primarywinding ll oii'ig. l. InFig.2,E:representsthe voltage between the leads I. and N (Fig.- l) and 151 represents the voltage between theleads 2i and i4. Thecurveotthe capacitor 2| is derived by plotting voltage against time. Itis well known that a i, 2 ll 6 Hence,

t=0.698RC where t is in seconds. It is in megohms, and C is in microiarads.

The potentiometer 31- includes ten resistor elements each oi 880,000 ohms. With the multiplier switch blade 30 connected to the capacitor 28, time intervals 0! a range from 1 to 10 seconds may be selected. With the switch blade 30 connected to the capacitor 11, time intervals of a range from 0.1 to 1 second may be selected. With the switch blade connected to the capacitor 29, time intervals oi a range from 10 to 100 seconds may be selected.

The present invention thus provides a timing device which (1) operates independently of variations in line voltage and (2) provides time intervalsinstepsoiO.l secondupto 1 second, insteps of 1 second from 1 secondJtoIO seconds, and in steps of 10 seconds from 10 to 100 seconds. It is, oi course, apparent that any suitable load devices may be connected to the receptacles 4i and H and that the gaseous conduction device 29 may be replaced by any equivalent device which is made non-conductive by momentary interruption oi its operating potential and is made conductive when its control potential changes to a predetermined value intermediate those of the negative and positive components. It is also apparent that the minimum timing interval may be reduced 4 considerably, depending only on the maximum speed or operation of the relay ll.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination or means for apply a resultant potential having positive and negative components, a relay, an energizing circuit for said relay, a resistor, a capacitor. circuit control means operable to apply said negative component to said capacitor in response to energisation of said relay and to apply said positive component through said resistor to said capacitor in response to deenergization of said relay, and means operable to deenergize said relay only while the charge of said capacitor is within a range extending from its most negative value to approximately zero.

2. The combination of means for applyi 8 a resultant potential having positive and negative components, a relay, an energizing circuit for said relay, a resistor, a capacitor. circuit control means operable to apply said negative component to said capacitor in response to energization of said relay and to apply said positive component through said resistor to said capacitor in response to deenergization 01 said relay, means operable to deenergize said relay only while the charge of said capacitor is within a range extending from its most negative value to approximately zero. a load device, and means operable to energize said load device only while the charge of said capacitor is within said range.

3. The combination oi means for applying a resultant potential having positive and negative components, a relay, an energizing circuit for said relay, a resistor, a capacitor, circuit control means operable to apply said negative component to said capacitor in response to energization of said relay and to apply said positive component through said resistor to said capacitor in response to deenergization oi said relay, means operable to dcenergize said relay only while-the charge of said capacitor is within a range extending from its most negative value to approximately zero, a load device, and means operable to deenergize said load device only while the charge of said capacitor is within said ran e.

4. The combination-oi means for applyins a resultant potential having positive and negative components, a relay, an' energizing circuit for said relay comprising a gaseousconduction device current conduction of said gaseous conductiondevice and for applying said positive component through said resistor to said capacitor in response to interruption of said current conduction.

5. The combination oi means for applying a resultant potential having positive and negative components, a relay, a gaseous conduction device providcd with a control grid and an anode and cathode and connected to have said positive component applied through said relay between its anode and cathode, a capacitor connected between said cathode and grid, means for interrupting the current of said gaseous conduction device, a resistor, circuit control means responsive to operation of said relay for applying said negative component to said capacitor in response to current conduction of said gaseousoonduction device and for applying said positive component through said resistor to said capacitor in response to interruption of said current conduction, a load device, and means for energizing said load device only during non-conduction of said gaseous conduction device.

6. The combination of means for applying a resultant potential having positive and negative components, a relay, a gaseous conduction device provided with a control grid and an anode and cathode and connected to have said positive component applied through said relay between its anode and cathode, a capacitor connected between said cathode and grid, means for interrupting the current or said gaseous conduction device, a resistor, circuit control means responsive to said relay for applying said negative component to said capacitor in response to current conduction of said gaseous conduction device and for applying said positive component through said resistor to said capacitor in response to interruption of said current conduction, a load device, and means for deenergizing said load device only during non-conduction of said gaseous conduction device.

7. The combination 01' means for applying a resultant potential having positive and negative components, a relay, an energizing circuit for said relay, a resistor adjustable in ten equal steps, capacitance means adjustable in steps increasing by multiples of ten, circuit control means operable to apply said negative component to said capacitance means in response to energization of said relay and to apply said positive component through said resistor to said capacitance means in response to deenergizatlon oi! said relay, and means operable to deenergize said relay only while the charge or said capacitance means is within a predetermined range starting at its most negative value and ending approximately at its zero value. I

8. In a timing circuit, in combination, opposite polarity unidirectional potential sources, 9. capacitor, a circuit including a switch normally connecting said capacitor to one oi! said potential sources to charge said capacitor to the voltage of said one source, a resistor, means for actuating said switch to disconnect said capacitor from said one voltage source and to connect said capacitor to the other of said voltage sources through said resistor to cause the voltage on said capacitor to begin to change from that of said first source to that of said second source, and means connected to said capacitor for actuating said switch to reestablish said circuit from said one source to said capacitor in response to a predetermined change in the voltage across said capacitor.

9. A circuit as defined in claim 8 including a load device, an energizing source, and means responsive to actuation of said switch to connect said load device to said energizing source only while said capacitor is connected to said other of said voltage sources.

10. A circuit as defined in claim 8 wherein said first named means comprises a relay having an operating coil and having a movable element connected to said switch, a gaseous conduction device having a control grid and a cathode, an energizing circuit for said device including said relay operating winding, and a switch for interrupting said energizing circuit.

11. A circuit as defined in claim 10 wherein the last named means of claim 8 comprises said relay, said gaseous conduction device, said energizing circuit, and connections from said capacitor to said control grid and said cathode.

12. A timing circuit comprising, in combination, first and second serially connected capacitors, means connected to charge said capacitors with voltages of opposite polarity, a third capacitor, a first circuit normally connecting said third capacitor in parallel with said first capacitor. a switch. means to actuate said switch to disconnect said third capacitor from said first capacitor and to connect said third capacitor in series with said resistor and said first and second capacitors, and means to actuate said switch, in response to a predetermined change in the voltage across said third capacitor, to reestablish said first circuit.

SIDNEY- WALD. JOHN S. RUBBO.

No references cited 

